Stanford women’s basketball upsets UCLA in Pac-12 tournament finals

UCLA lost 51-49 to Stanford in the Pac-12 Tournament Finals, missing a game-tying shot at the buzzer.

Stanford’s Amber Orrange hit a double clutch layup with 7 seconds left, putting her team up by two. Senior forward Markel Walker then raced down the court, trying to tie the game, but her tough layup rimmed out.

Senior forward Alyssia Brewer attempted a putback, but her shot was knocked out of bounds as the clock expired. Officials reviewed the play and placed 0.2 seconds on the clock, but freshman guard Nirra Fields was unable to get the final shot off in time.

After falling into an 11-0 hole and going scoreless for the first eight minutes to start the game, UCLA battled back behind stifling defense to take a 27-26 lead at halftime.

The team’s momentum spilled over to the second half, as the defense forced Stanford to commit multiple shot clock and traveling violations. Its defense also took Stanford’s Chiney Ogwumike, the Pac-12 Player of the Year, out of the game, as she finished with just three points and did not score after the 18:07 mark in the first half.

With the strong defense and a rejuvenated offense, UCLA pushed its lead to 7. But Stanford found a way to creep back into the game, as Orrange got a steal and a breakaway layup to bring Stanford within one.

Both teams jostled for the lead in the final three minutes and Stanford came out victorious, winning their seventh consecutive Pac-12 Tournament. It was UCLA’s 16th straight loss to Stanford.

Compiled by Kevin Bowman, Bruin Sports reporter